Former President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared at the Seoul Central District Court on the morning of the 14th for the first trial regarding the charge of 'leader of rebellion.' Supporters of former President Yoon gathered around the court, shouting 'Yoon Again,' while a group urging impeachment declared, 'Re-arrest him.' Both sides used microphones and loudspeakers, and the police measured the noise level, which exceeded the permissible limit during gatherings. Commuters covered their ears or grimaced, showing signs of discomfort.
About 20 supporters of former President Yoon began to wave the Korean and U.S. flags around 9 a.m. near the main entrance of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, shouting slogans like 'Yoon Again.' A banner reading 'We support Director General Jeong Ui-yeon' was also hung on the sidewalk across the street.
Director General Ji accepted the claims made by former President Yoon's side on the 7th of last month and granted the request to cancel the arrest. He is also the presiding judge of the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, which specializes in trials related to rebellion. Director General Ji also prohibited filming inside the courtroom ahead of the trial.
The group formed after the imposition of emergency martial law on Dec. 3, which has called for former President Yoon's impeachment, held a press conference at 9 a.m. in front of the courthouse's east gate.
They said, 'The court should re-arrest Yoon Suk-yeol, who continues to incite fervent supporters to commit acts of rebellion without any reflection until now, and punish him strictly.' They also mentioned about Director General Ji, stating, 'Since it is difficult to expect a fair trial any longer, a motion to disqualify Director General Ji should be submitted now.'
Supporters of former President Yoon gathered at the east gate, disrupting the press conference of the emergency action group with insults like 'those XXs' and 'North Korean bastards.' The police set up a police line to separate both sides and moved the supporters of former President Yoon to the opposite sidewalk to prevent clashes. During this process, former President Yoon's supporters protested by using insults against the police.
After holding the press conference, the emergency action group disbanded, and about 50 supporters of former President Yoon occupied the vicinity of the Seoul Central District Court's east gate. Former President Yoon quickly passed through the east gate around 9:50 a.m. while in a vehicle. Supporters wearing red hats with the slogan MKGA (Make Korea Great Again) or holding 'Yoon Again' placards shouted, 'President Yoon Suk-yeol' as he entered the court.
The police control the noise levels for weekly gatherings held in the city center from 7 a.m. until sunset, ensuring that the average equivalent noise level over a 10-minute period does not exceed 70 decibels (dB) and the maximum noise level does not exceed 90 dB.
Around 9:45 a.m. that day, the police measured an equivalent noise level of 95.3 dB at a location about 60 meters from the Seoul Central District Court. 90 dB is about the noise level created by a lawnmower or inside a noisy factory, which can cause hearing loss. A police official noted, 'Both equivalent and maximum levels exceeded the allowable criteria.' The police requested the protesters to lower the noise, but they did not comply well.
As a result, citizens passing near the Seoul Central District Court frowned and put on earphones. It was raining, and some citizens who held an umbrella in one hand found it difficult to cover their ears with one hand, struggling to manage.
Former President Yoon has been removed from office but is provided with security under the former president security law. Travel in the area is controlled for emergencies. To get from the Acro Vista apartment, the residence of former President Yoon, to the court building, only an eight-lane road needs to be crossed; however, to ensure Yoon's safe appearance at the court, police restricted pedestrian traffic at the crosswalk for about 10 minutes.
Around 9:47 a.m. that day, a lawyer waiting for the crosswalk signal to turn green said, 'The trial begins at 10 a.m., but I was delayed due to traffic control.'